Health officials say they have the first evidence of a national decline in childhood obesity. A government report released Tuesday found at least slight declines in obesity rates for low-income preschoolers in 18 states. Rates went up in three states.

The report is based on the heights and weights of children in a federal food program.  Previous research suggested national childhood obesity rates were flat, though some cities have reported improvements. Nationwide, about 12 percent of boys and girls are obese.

The report didn’t answer why some states improved while most others held steady. Experts credit policies that promote breast-feeding and healthier eating. Overweight or obese preschoolers are five times more likely than other children to be heavy adults.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) About 1 in 8 preschoolers is obese in the US.
19 Obesity among low-income preschoolers declined, from 2008 through 2011, in 19 of 43 states and territories studied.
5x Children who are overweight or obese as preschoolers are 5 times as likely as normal-weight children to be overweight or obese as adults.
Obese children are more likely to become obese adults and suffer lifelong physical and mental health problems. Obesity rates in low-income preschoolers, after decades of rising, began to level off from 2003 through 2008 and now are showing small declines in many states. However, too many preschoolers are obese. State and local officials can play a big part in reducing obesity among preschoolers.